Device for sterilizing and deodorizing toilet bowls



March 6, 1962 D. T. BEHRINGER DEVICE FOR STERILIZING AND DEODORIZING TOILET BOWLS Filed April 18. 1950 Fizz/10,607@ Dam/,QZ Tewajen 3,023,427 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 3,023,427 DEVICE FOR STERELIZING AND DEGDORIZNG TLE'I BQWLS Daniel T. Behringer, 541 N. Le Claire Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed Apr. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 22,867 3 Claims. (Cl. 422S) The invention relates generally to a dispensing device and more particularly to a device which may employ a pressure container for dispensing of deodorizing and disinfecting material in toilet bowls.

The invention has among its objects the production of a dispensing device which is exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and which is very efficient in operation.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a device which may be readily installed by unskilled persons without the use of tools, in the flushing water reservoir of the toilet and thus substantially entirely concealed except for a small inconspicuous actuating member or lever.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device which may employ a replaceable pressure type container for the material to be dispensed, whereby all mechanical dispensing means may be eliminated and merely a simple actuating member employed to control the discharge valve of the container.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a device which is so designed that the actuating member may extend over the edge of the reservoir and the cover replaced on the latter so that the actuating member extends from the interior of the reservoir to the exterior therof but Without requiring any special holes or openings therefor.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure vherein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. l is a transverse sectional View of a flushing water reservoir for a toilet or the like, illustrating the installation of the present invention thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top ,plan view of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view taken approximately on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

The invention contemplates the use of a pressurized container for the materials to be dispensed in combination with a supporting bracket therefor which may be readily attached to the toilet, as for example, to the reservoir `or tank thereof, whereby the container is positioned within the tank with the actuating means for discharging the material from the container preferably extending to the exterior of the tank where it is readily accessible. Provision is made for discharging the dispensed materials through the overflow pipe or tube of `the reservoir, whereby they may be injected directly into the ow of water from the tankupon actuation of the ush valve thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 refers generally to a reservoir or tank for the storage of ushing water for the toilet bowl, such tank having a front wall 2, rear wall 3, bottom wall 4 and end walls 5, only one of which is illustrated in FIG. l, the open upper end of the tank being adapted to be closed by a removable cover member 6. 'For the purposes of illustration, the tank may be provided with the usual type discharge conduit 7, flush valve member 8 and overflow pipe or tube 9. The valve `member 8 may also be provided with the usual lift stem 10 operatively connecting the valve member 8 'through a link 11 to an actuating arm 12, operatively connected to a manually actuatable handle, not shown, which Vmay extend through the front wall 2 of the reservoir. To

complete the usual type of flush tank structure, a suitable inlet valve structure, not shown, would be employed which may be actuated b y a oat 13 which is operatively connected thereto through a stem or rod 14 so that when the level of the liquid is lowered, the corresponding movement of the float will open the valve and refill the tank.

Referring particularly to FIGS. v2 and 3, the reference numeral .15 indicates generally a container or can for the deodorizing and disinfecting materials to Ibe dispensed, such container being of generally standard `construction wherein the materials are placed under pressure and adapted to be released through a discharge opening 16, illustrated as lbeing positioned .in a movable stem 17 which forms the actuating valve member for the container. This construction is a common one in which the discharge valve is actuated by tilting the stem member 17 as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 3, thereby discharging the materials through the discharge opening 16. As illustrated in FIGS. l and 3, the container is adapted to be supported in a bracket indicated `generally by the numeral 18 which is illustrated as comprising a vertically extending portion 19 terminating at its lower end in a horizontally extending portion 21 upon which the container 1S may be seated, the extreme free end of the portion 21 being provided with a reversely formed hook-*like portion 22 adapted to engage the lower `rim or vbead 23 of the can 15, thereby iirmly engaging the can, with the offset 22 preventing vertical displacement thereof.

Secured by soldering, welding or othersuitable means, to the upright portion 19 and extending transversely therefrom is a generally circularly shaped band 24 having its extreme free end kportions bent outwardly as indicated at 25, the band or arm 24 having sufficient resiliency to permit the can 15 to be engaged with the hook 22 and then snapped into the position illustrated in the drawings, the Iband 24 firmly retaining the can on ythe bracket.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper end of the ,member 19 is formed to provide an inverted hook-like portion indicated generally by the numeral 26, having a top wall 27 and a downwardly extending portion 28 which extends generally parallel to the member 19 and preferably provided with a slight flare at its extreme end as indicated at 29.

Carried by the `bracket 18 is a valve actuating arm or member indicated generally Iby `the numeral `31, which is pivoted by suitable means such as rivet 32, tothe top wall 27 of the bracket 19, so that the member 31 is pivotal about an axis which extends generally parallel to the axis of the can 15. The inner Vend o-f the member 31 is bent to form a downwardly extending portion 33 which terminates in a generally arcuate-shaped portion 34 engageable with the valve actuating stem 17 ofthe container 15. The opposite end of the member 31 extends downwardly fromV the bracket 18 as indicated at 35 in FIG. l and then outwardly as indicated at 36, the free end terminating in a generally vertically extending handle portion 37. 'Thus by applying pressure to the handle portion 37 in the Ydirection of the arrow as illustrated in lFIG. `2, the portion 34 of the mem-ber 31 `will engage the `actuating valve stem 17 of the container, tilting the same suliiciently to open the valve and permit a discharge of the materials contained therein.

The device is completed by a `conduit 38 for the material to be discharged, that illustrated havin-g a relatively rigid portion 39 which terminates at vits free end in a transversely extending portion 41 and is operatively connected to the discharge opening 16 of the container by means of asection or portion y42 which is -relatively flexible and adapted to be engaged with the valve stem 17 to make operative connection with the container. The connection `|between the portion 42. of the conduit and the valve stem 17 may `be Va vfriction iit or if desired, the

conduit may be provided at its extreme free end with a slight enlargement or projection which may be snapped into engagement with the valve stem 17.

The device may be readily installed on a tank such as the tank 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Following the removal of the cover 6, the bracket `18 to which the can 15 has been attached is inserted into the tank as illustrated in l and the hook portion Z6 of the bracket engaged with the top edge portion of the tank at the point along such edge where it is desired to have the actuating handle 37 positioned. Thus the device could be positioned either along the front wall 2 as illustrated or along either of the end walls, provided that the position selected did not interfere with the operation of the float 13 or any other part of the operating mechanism of the structure. The conduit 38 may then be inserted into the overllow pipe 9, the transversely extending end portion 41 positioned adjacent the discharge pipe 7 of the tank, following which the free end of the exible portion 42 may Ibe engaged with the valve stem 17, completing the installation. The cover is then replaced, preferably inserting a sufficient number of suitable lspacer members I43 along the top edge of the tank 1 to compensate yfor the top portion Z7 of the bracket 1S, the actuating arm or member 31 and rivet 32, to insure a level seating of the cover 6 on the tank 1 and at the same time permit free movement of the lever 31.

In use the actuating lever 31 is pivoted, by the application of pressure to the handle portion 37, in the direction of the arrow as illustrated in IFIG. 2, thereby tilting the valve stem 17, to open the discharge valve and permit liquid to pass through the discharge opening 1'6 into the conduit 38 and be discharged from the lower end 41 thereof.

I have found that exceptionally good action is obtained by rst actuating the flush valve and discharging and deodorizing and disinfecting materials into the water stream substantially in the middle of the iow so that the water will carry such materials into and circulate the same around the toilet bowl.

lt will be appreciated that a pressure container filled with 'suitable materials will provide an adequate supply over a relatively long period of time, only a small amount being required to achieve the desired result and upon exhausting the supply, a new container may be readily installed, merely by removing the cover and replacing the empty can with a new one.

While l have referred to deodorizing and disinfecting materials, it will be appreciated that the particular materials employed may comprise deodorizing materials, disinfecting or antisepticizing materials, as well as bowl cleaning materials and the like, depending upon the particular requirements.

It will be noted that the entire installation may be readily accomplished without the use of any tools, or changes in the existing tank structure, etc., all of the various components of the device merely being applied to the existing tank structure and mechanism.

While I have illustrated the device as bein-g manually actuated through its own actuating member, under certain circumstances it may be desirable to design the actuating lever so that the bracket and container may be so positioned in the tank that actuation of the hush valve yhandle member wil-l also engage vthe actuating member of the device to discharge a quantity of materials into the water line each time the flush valve is actuated. However, in

most instances it is believed that it will be unnecessary to actuate the device every time the tlush valve 8 is actuated, and efficient results may be obtained with improved economy by the use of a manually actuated valve.

It will be noted from the above description that I have provided a very eicient yet simple device which is substantially entirely concealed in the ilush tank, easily installed, and provided with a pressure container which may be readily replaced when exhausted.

Having thus described my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given that various immaterial changes may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence l do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, arrangement, construction and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a deodorant and antiseptizing device for toilet fixtures utilizing a ushing water reservoir having a discharge valve, an overflow tube and a cover member, the combination of a pressure container for the deodorant and antiseptizing material having a discharge opening and an actuating valve member, a supporting bracket for said container having an inverted hook portion constructed to detachably engage the upper edge of the reservoir and support said container therefrom, a valve actuating arm pivotally carried by the top of the hook portion of said bracket, said arm being constructed to extend between the upper edge of the reservoir and the cover therefor, the inner end of said arm terminating in a downwardly extending portion engageable with the valve member of said container, the outer end of said arm extending downwardly and outwardly and terminating in a manually engageable handle, a hollow uid conduit having a relatively rigid section of a length to extend into said overflow tube with the free end of the conduit positioned adjacent the outlet of said overflow tube and extending transversely to the main portion of the tube, the opposite end of said conduit having a flexible portion detachably engageable with the discharge valve of said container for operatively connecting the conduit thereto, and spacing means constructed to engage the upper edge of the reservoir to space the cover from each upper edge a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness of the material of said hook portion and said valve actuating arm.

2. In a deodorant and antiseptizing device for toilet iixtures utilizing a flushing water reservoir having a discharge valve, an overflow tube and a cover member, the combination of a pressure container for the deodorant and antiseptizing material having a discharge opening and an actuating valve member, a supporting bracket for said container having an inverted hook portion constructed to detachably engage the upper edge of the reservoir and support the container therein, a valve actuating arm pivotally carried by the hook portion of said bracket, said arm being constructed to extend between the upper edge of the reservoir and the cover therefor, the inner end of said arm terminating in a downwardly extending portion engageable with the valve member of said container, the outer end of said arm extending downwardly and outwardly and terminating in a manually engageable handle, a hollow iluid conduit detachably engageable with the discharge valve of said container and of a length to extend into said overflow tube, and spacing means constructed to engage the upper edge of the reservoir to space the cover from each upper edge a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness of the material of said hook portion and said valve actuating arm.

3. In a deodorant and antiseptizing device for toilet iixtures utilizing a flushing water reservoir having a discharge valve, an overow tube and a cover member, the combination of a pressure container for the deodorant and antiseptizing material having a discharge opening and an actuating valve member, a supporting bracket for said container having an inverted hook portion constructed to detachably engage the upper edge of the reservoir and support the container therein, a valve actuating arm pivotally carried by the hook portion of said bracket, said arm being constructed to extend between the upper edge of the reservoir and the cover therefor, the inner end of said arm terminating in a downwardly extending portion engageable with the valve member of said container, the

5 outer end of said arm extending downwardly and outwardly and terminating in a manually engageable handle, a hollow iluid conduit detachably engageable with 6 References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,728,608 Marini Dec. 27, 1955 2,795,799 Dickerman June 18, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 961,138 France NOV. 14, 1949 

